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KATZ, MARTIN R. Computer-Assisted Career Decision Making: The Guide in the Machine. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 1993. Pp. xvi + 289. $59.95 cloth, $29.95 paper
The book being reviewed is a comprehensive and introspective critique and review of SIGI (System of Interactive Guidance and Information) and the more recent version titled SIGI-PLUS. These are computerized, career guidance systems. In Katz's own words, it "...is about career decision making, career guidance, and the interplay about them." Katz is not a disinterested observer, since he was instrumental in the development of both SIGI and SIGI-PLUS. Hence, he writes from the perspective of an insider or a participant observer. Katz's intimate knowledge and perspective is the glue that holds this book together.
The book focuses on the theory of career guidance as well as the practical use of SIGI and SIGI-PLUS. For instance, the first chapter gives a broad overview of career decision making (CDM hereafter) concepts such as the role of work in our society. As an example, at the risk of some oversimplification, Katz points out that those entering professional and managerial positions are motivated by intrinsic rewards, whereas those entering lower-level occupations seek extrinsic satisfaction from their work. The former is labeled a "vocation" and the latter "employment." In reality, "employment" and "vocation" represent points on a continuum since all jobs consist of both extrinsic and intrinsic rewards. But the dichotomy does point out an issue raised by Katz, which is that some people work to live while others live to work. Katz thoroughly reviews the literature in tackling topics such as this. Another issue raised is differentiating training and education. Briefly, training has more specificity and less transfer value. Katz also contrasts the German apprenticeship and the U.S. approach of becoming a craft worker. In any case, he makes a compelling case that people engage in CDM with very little information about their own values and this is very credible.
The second chapter is entitled, "The Needs for Guidance." Whereas SIGI was...